Genetic diversity and population structure of indigenous guinea fowl (<i>Numida meleagris)</i> in Benin using simple sequence repeat markers
<p>This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of 12 guinea fowl phenotypes from three climatic zones (Guinean, Sudano-Guinean and Sudanian) of Benin. A total of 96 adult guinea fowl, aged at least 6 months, were selected for blood sampling. Fragment analysis was...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Archives Animal Breeding |
| Online Access: | https://aab.copernicus.org/articles/66/183/2023/aab-66-183-2023.pdf |
| Summary: | <p>This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of 12 guinea fowl phenotypes from three climatic zones (Guinean,
Sudano-Guinean and Sudanian) of Benin. A total of 96 adult guinea fowl, aged at least 6 months, were selected for blood sampling. Fragment
analysis was carried out using 17 polymorphic microsatellite markers. The informative marker combinations revealed a total of 83 alleles
across all loci, with an average of 5 alleles per locus and a mean polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.793. This study showed an observed
heterozygosity of 0.492. The inbreeding coefficient values ranged from <span class="inline-formula">−</span>0.086 in white phenotype to 0.226 in cinnamon, showing a deficit of
heterozygotes, suggesting a moderate inbreeding level. A relatively low population differentiation was observed, with a mean fixation index (Fst)
value of 0.033. The short genetic distances between phenotypes, unlike the strong genetic identities, revealed high genetic proximity between the
12 phenotypes of indigenous guinea fowl in Benin. These data indicate the existence of a single indigenous guinea fowl population with high
intra-population genetic diversity with respect to climatic zones or phenotypes. This study will help in the selection of parental breeding stock
for genetic improvement programs, as well as in the conservation for biodiversity maintenance and sustainable use of the indigenous guinea fowl in
the study zones in Benin.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 0003-9438 2363-9822 |